Leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Monkerhostin> looks the one they all have to beat in the Aon Chase (2.35) on what promises to be a high-class card at Newbury tomorrow.

The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old put down a marker for top staying chase honours in the King George VI Chase last time out when just failing to get the better of last year's blue riband hero, Kicking King.

Although that was his first try at three miles over fences, it appeared to suit him down to the ground and it will be fascinating to see what he can do now connections know he stays.

And with the form of that latest run looking the best on offer in this contest, he should be very hard to beat if running his usual consistent race.

The totesport Trophy (3.10) sees a maximum field of 27 runners attempt to claim the valuable pot and Venetia Williams looks to hold an outstanding chance with Chief Yeoman>.

The former Triumph Hurdle second returned from over a year off the track at Windsor in December and looked as good as ever when going down under top weight to Acambo over two miles.

He then went on to put up another solid effort when fourth in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Sandown on ground that was softer than ideal.

With faster conditions sure to benefit this consistent sort, he looks sure to be on the premises and is is worth noting he has not gone unbacked ante-post.

Kauto Star> can enhance his Queen Mother Champion Chase claims in the totepool Game Spirit Chase (3.45). Paul Nicholls' six-year-old was a very impressive winner of the Tingle Creek Chase where he beat Ashley Brook by a length and a half in December.

With that run confirming the promise he had shown last season as a novice, he is clearly the emerging force over fences and can enhance his growing reputation.

Having only been beaten a short head by Arkle Chase favourite Accordion Etoile at Cheltenham in November, he looks likely to be competing at the top level for some time to come.

Still only a six-year-old and with a resounding success at Ludlow last time under his belt, he will not be far away in this Grade Two event.

The card also sees Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Our Vic> make his reappearance in the Blue Square Handicap Chase (3.25) over two and a half miles. The highly-regarded gelding put his problems behind him with a well-deserved success in the November showpiece, but was then disappointing a month later although none of his stablemates were running up to scratch either.

If returning to the form that saw him capture the Paddy Power, he will be very hard to beat even though he is set to carry top weight.

Ayr sees Howard Johnson's Arkle entrant Coat of Honour> return to action in the Lloyds TSB Scotland Novices' Chase (2.15). The promising youngster was rated as high as 134 over hurdles and completed a good campaign last season with a convincing win in the Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in May. He then produced a solid performance over fences last time at Wetherby where he beat Show Me The River by two and a half lengths.

Looking likely to appreciate the extra distance he will encounter here, he can stamp his class on this event.

Lucinda Russell's staying chaser Strong Resolve> looks like he has dropped to a winning mark in the Lloyds TSB Scotland Scottish Racing Handicap Chase (4.25)over three miles and a furlong.

Although he failed to run up to form this season, he was a decent second to Silver Birch in the Welsh National two years ago off a mark 1lb higher than he is today.

A two-time course and distance winner in recent times, he can bounce back to winning ways under Peter Buchanan.